Noise filter



NOISE FLTER i lm' N 1 @n Il INVENTOR.;

A ORNE YS H. E. CLARY ETAL Feb. 2, 196s NOISE FILTER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 3, 1962 INVENTORJ 11min Feb- 2, 1965 H. E. cLARY ETAL 3,168,162

NOISE FILTER Filed Jan. 5, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 lil/Il INVENTOR' Harry f/g/ United States Patent Oce 3,168,162 Patented Feb. 2, 1965 resaca Norse snaren Harry E. Clary, Chesterland, and ihiliip L. Bailey, Wieklide, Ghia, assignors to Thompson Ramo Wooldridge Ine., Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed lian. 3, 1%2, Ser. No. 164,055 13 Claims. (Cl. 181-59) This invention is generally related to silencers and more particularly to noise iilters to reduce the noise level associated with the flow of gases.

Noise filters are used to reduce the noise level associated with exhaust gases from internal combustion engines, turbines, vacuum pumps, and similar devices. Ditticulties were encountered in reducing the noise level from such devices without producing high back pressures. The conventional noise iilters or muli'lers utilize a multiplicity of bailies and resonant chambers of complex configurations and resulted in mutliers or" extreme length and width. in an attempt to lower costs ot such prior art muliiers, materials had to be used which would quickly corrode and rust. Further, such prior art muliiers, due to their complexities or" design and multiplicity of parts, presented problems for quick and economical assemblage.

it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a compact inexpensive and eicient noise filter.

It is another object of the instant invention to provide a noise iilter to reduce noise level associated with llowing gases without excessive resistance to the flow of the gases.

it is another object of this invention to provide a noise iiiter having battles and flow channels formed by joining two halt casing sections.

lt is a further object of this invention to provide a noise lter that has two joined halves, cailles and iow channels that are formed by convolutions or depressions in the outer shell of the filter.

it is further an object of this invention to provide a noise iilter having a plurality of bales and a plurality oi new channels and a resonant chamber formed by one of said batiles, said bullies and liow channels causing a series of expansions and contractions of gas and accompanying sound pressure waves tlc-wing through said noise iilter.

It is further an object of the instant invention to provide a method of economically ltering noise by flowing exhaust gases and accompanying sound pressure waves into a noise iilter, expanding said gases and accompanying sound pressure waves then flowing said gases and accompanying sound pressure waves through a restriction, dividing the gases and accompanying sound pressure waves into a plurality or" iiow channels, subjecting the ow through said channels to a series of contractions and expansions, joining said divided iiow at a restricted outlet passage, and flowing said gases and accompanying attenuated sound pressure waves to the atmosphere.

It is further object of this invention to provide a method of iltering noise produced by the ow of gas, economically by owing the gas and the accompanying sound pressure waves through a series of expansions and contractions.

lt is further an object of the invention to provide a noise lter having series or" battles and a plurality of iiow passages formed by convolutions or depressions in the outer wall of said noise tilter, said battles and iiow channels causing a series of expansions and contractions of the gas and accompanying sound pressure waves.

Cin the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of one embodirnent of the rnuiiler according to this invention;

FGURE 2 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional View of the muiiler or" FIGURE l taken along line ll--H;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged transverse cross-sectional view taken along line lll-Ill of FIGURE 1;

EGURE 4 is a side-elevational view of another embodiment ot the muiiler according to this invention;

FIGURE 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the rnuiiler of FlGURE 4 taken along lines V-V;

FIGURE 6 is a transverse cross-sectional View taken along the lines V-Vi of FIGURE 5;

FGURE 7 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along the lines Jil-Vil of FGURE 5, and

FIGURE 8 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken g the lines lill-VIH of FIGURE 5.

As shown on the drawings:

The instant invention advantageously utilizes techniques of molding, casting, rolling or stamping to form a noise iilter. These techniques are employed to economically produce a noise filter or mufiier which is molded in two separate halves that only need to be joined to form a completed noise ilter or mutller. When the rnuller is symmetrical, only one mold or stamp is needed because both halves are identical.

Because ot the economical manner in which the filter or muiler is fabricated, the more expensive corrosion resistant materials can be used, such as, high impact strength reinforced plastic where surface conditions are not too severe, die cast aluminum is also feasible, and of course, either stainless or low carbon steel.

The lter is formed in two halves. Within each half is formed a series of convolutions in the shell oi the niut'iler. The convoiutions in each shell are made to coact with each other and provide a series of Aexpanding and contracting flow passages and baffles when the two halves of the moitier are joined. The convolutions also form a resonant chamber within the muiller, converging in a direction opposite to the direction of flow of outlet gases. The expansion and contraction passages and the resonant chamber attenuate the sound pressure waves which accompany the ilow of gases and thereby malte them aurally agreeable.

The enacting convolutions form an expansion chamber followed by a restricted passage which leads to a dividing manifold that branches to two or more ilow channels that converge at a space between a resonant chamber restricted outlet passage.

The exhaust gases and objectionable pulsating sound ressure waves, for example from an internal combustion engine, enter the muiiier of the instant invention through a restriction. They pass therefrom into an expansion chamber from which they exit through a restricted passage, the restricted passage leads to a manifold that branches into two or more flow channels. The gases and sound waves liow through the flow channels where they are subjected to a series of expansions and contractions by one or more protrusions in the liow channels. The i'low channels converge at a restricted exit passage which faces a resonant chamber that is between said ow channels. The gases emerge from the exit passage into the atmosphere, or may ow to another expansion charnber before passing through an outlet passage to the atmosphere with aurally agreeable sound pressure Waves having low register long wave length, and ilatter curved pulsations.

Referring to FGURES 1 3, there is shown a muiiicr 11 having an inlet 12 and an outlet 13 connected to a housing 11. The muilier is shown as being of a substantially rectangular shape as shown by FIGURE 3 but it is understood that the muier may be oval, cylindrical, or any design conliguration desired. The muiiler is formed by the housing shell 14 and is divided into three sections by two batlies. A rst expansion section 10 is formed by an inlet baille 1-6 and an inner surface of the shell 14. The

inlet baille lo having a passage 17 therethrough is connected to shell le and forms a main section l5 with an outlet baille 26 and the housing le. A third expansion section 2b is also formed by the ba'le 26 and the inner surface of the housing i4.

The two battles i6 and 2o form with the housing 14 expansion chambers 27 and 23 in the first and third sections respectively. The inlet l?. enters the expansion chamber 27 and the outlet 13 exits from the expansion chamber 23.

The main second section has mounted therein a flow bathe 18 that forms respectively manifold chambers l@ and 21 with the inlet bathe le and outlet baille 26. The baille i8 also forms longitudinal flow channels 22 and 23 with the shell ld. The manifold chamber i9 connects to the restricted passage i7 and branches to the flow channels 22 and 23. The :dow channels 22 and 23 extend longitudinally along the shell 1li-l and lead to the exit manifold chamber- 2l. The exit manifold converges to an exit restricted passage 24 formed by the outlet baffle 2d.

On the sides of the baille 18 are protrusions 2h, 3l, 32, 33, 34 and 36 which cause a series of expansions and contractions of the gases and sound pressure waves when they flow through the iiow channels 22 and 23. The baille lb has an end wall 37 which forms the manifold chamber 19 with the baille i6, and an exit end Wall 3S which forms the manifold chamber 21 with the baflle 2e.

A resonant chamber 39 is formed within the baille l and has a mouth 40 formed by the end wall 38. The resonant chamber has sides that converge radially inward from the mouth itl into the bathe i8' between the channels 22 and 23. On the sides of the resonant chamber are protrusions 4l, 42, 43 and dll which are used to increase the attenuation of sound pressure waves of frequencies peculiar to various sources of noise. These protrusions may be varied in number or shape or may be eliminated depending on the attenuation desired. Therefore, the cross-sectional area of the resonant chamber may be varied.

The muler 1l is hooked up to a device such as an internal combustion engine, exhaust gases and disagreeable accompanying sound pressure waves, from the engine, iiow through the inlet passage l2 into the expansion chamber 27. The expanded gases and sound waves converge and ilow from the expansion chamber 27 through the restricted passage i7 and into the manifold chamber 19. The manifold chamber branches then to the two flow channels 22 and 23. However, depending upon the amount of gas that is to ilow through the muiiler, more ilow channels may be used. The flow channels 22 and 23 subiect each branched how to contraction bythe protrusions 29 and 33 respectively; followed by expansions; then contraction by protrusions 31 and 34; followed by a gradual expansion; and then contraction by the protrusion 32 and 36. The shape of the protrusions and the number of protrusions may be varied depending upon the source of noise and attenuation desired. The flow channels 22 and Z3 flow the gas and sound pressure waves into the manifold 21. The manifold 2l converges and unites the divided ilows at the restricted passage 24 that faces the mouth 4@ of the resonant chamber 39. The gases and sound pressure waves pass through and enter the expansion chamber 28 where the gas exits through exit passage 13 with aurally agreeable sound pressure waves.

FIGURES 1 3 show the muffler as being made from molded plastic. It is understood that this muiller may be molded or casted from any suitable material, such as cast aluminum. It must also be borne in mind that the muiller may be molded in halves from a solid body whereby the depressions, that form the passages, appear to be scooped out from the inner walls of the mulller. Also, the bailles, as shown, were solid and it is understood that these may be rigid hollow bodies and further the battles may be attached to the walls of the muiiler in any suitable manner.

The baille 26 is not essential and the manifold 2l may lead directl'yr to the outlet 2.3. rl`he baille 26 however is desirable where the outlet passage lli is not symmetrical with the mouth il of the resonant chamber 39.

FIGURES 4-8 show a mutller having the desired qualities of the instant invention. lt is made by stamping or rolling sheet material such as steel. It is understood however that the muiller shown may be made by molding or casting suitable material.

PGURE l shows a murler 5l having a main section S2, an inlet expansion section 53, and an outlet expansion section The section 53 having an exhaust gas inlet 56 and the section Slhaving an exhaust gas outlet 57. The housing or casing for mufer 5l and its gas passageways are formed by pouring two contoured half-shells Si? and Se.

Each half shell is contoured so that when they are joined the inner surface of their walls will form the passageways of the present invention. FIGURE 5 shows the half-shell 5^@ with a plurality or" convolutions therein. The shell 'il first has convolutions to denne the inlet expansion section 55. rthe convolutions for the inlet expansion section dciine the restricted inlet passage Se which leads toan expansion chamber 5S. The expansion chamber 58 has a restricted passage S9 axially aligned with inlet passage 55. The restricted passage 59 connects to the main section 52 with the inlet section S3. The convolutions in the shell at the main section 52 form a baille 6l disposed concentrically therein. The baille (il has an inlet end 63 and an outlet end 64. Within the baille 6l is a resonant chamber 66 which has a mouth 5S formed by the exit end 6d, and has sides that converge radially within the baille el in a direction opposite to tie direction of llow of outlet gases.

The baille 6l is formed by walls of the main portion 52 and the convolutions therein that form the entrance manifold 67, an exit manifold 63, axial flow channels 69 and 7l, and resonant chamber 65. The sides of the axial ow channels 69 and 7l have respective protrusions 72 `and 76, 73 and 77, and '7d and These protrusions orm a series of restricted and expanded areas in the ow channels to cause a series of expansions and contractions of the gases and accompanying sound pressure waves owing through said channels.

The size, shape and the number of protrusions are varied to match the tilter of the instant invention to the source oi the noise and to achieve the desired attenuation.

The flow channels 69 and 7l. are connected to the exit manifold 6d that converges and unites the gases and sound pressure waves at a restricted passage 79 and at the mouth 65 of the resonant chamber rthe passage 75 connects the main silencing section 52 with the exit expansion section 54. The exit expansion section 54 has convolutions to form an expansion chamber Si which is connected to the passage 7g. The outlet 57 is formed in the exit expansion chamber Sl and is axially aligned with the passages 7?, and 5d. The passages however do not have to be axially aligned with one another. This depends on the noise source and attenuation desired.

FGURES 6 8 show how the mulller made up of two half-shells is joined and brings out further how the convolutions stamped or molded in the sheet material form the entrance de, the expansion chamber 5S, the passage 59, Vthe manifold 67, the ilow passages 69 and 7l, the resonant chamber ed, the manifold 63, the passage 79, the expansion chamber Si and the exit 57. The two half-shells are joined by rivets 82 and fasteners 83 or like fastening means.

The exit expansion chamber Se is not essential but is desirable in applications where the outlet passage 57 is not symmetrical with the mouth of the resonant chamber 66. lt is understood that more than two flow channels may be construct-e in the main section 52. Therefore the transverse cross-sectional shape of the resonant chantber e6 can vary depending upon the shape of the outer shell and the number of liow passages around the baille 61. Also, the size and shape of the muiiler may be varied depending upon the type of sound to be attenuated.

It is also understood that the passageways shown in FIGURES 4 8 are not necessarily formed by convolutions in the muler shell but may be formed by separate baiiie means similar to those described in connection with FGURES l to 3. The separate baille means can be used to form one or all of the sections of the muiiler and are joined to each half-shell in any suitable manner well known to the artisan.

By the use of our instant invention we have been able to economically produce a muiiier that has 40% less back pressure than a conventional muliier ot the same size.

lt will be understood that modifications and variations ot the foregoing preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope ot the invention as defined by the following claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. A noise silencer comprising:

casing means forming an expansion entrance section,

and a longitudinally extending main section,

said entrance section forming an inlet passage and an outlet passage and an expansion chamber between said inlet and outlet passages,

said entrance section inlet and outlet passages having smaller cross-sectional flow area than the entrance section expansion chamber,

said main section having an inlet passage and an outlet passage with said inlet passage being connected to the entrance outlet passage to receive gas flow therefrom,

said main section forming a plurality of spaced ilow channels extending longitudinally therein,

means providing each tlow channel with a series of protrusions to provide expansive and contractive tlow of gases and sound pressure waves therethrough, means providing an entrance manifold within the main section connected to the main section inlet and to one end of each flow channel to receive the gas ilow from the inlet and divide the gas flow into a gas stream for each iow channel, and eans providing an exit manifold connected to the other ends of said flow channels and said main section exit passage to receive the streams of gas from the how channels and convergingly unite said streams to ilow the united streams of gas through the main section outlet,

2. The noise silencer of claim l wherein the entrance manifold means has a relatively iiat wall facing said main section inlet passage that the gas flow through said inlet passage is directed toward said dat wall.

3. A noise silencer comprising:

housing means forming an expansion entrance section,

and a longitudinally extending main section,

said entrance section forming an inlet passage and an outlet passage and an expansion chamber between said inlet and outlet passages,

said entrance section inlet and outlet passages having a smaller cross-sectional iiow area than the entrance section expansion chamber,

said main section having an inlet passage and an outlet passage with said inlet passage being connected to the entrance outlet passage to receive gas flow therefrom,

said main section forming a plurality of spaced longitudinally extending ilow channels therein, means providing each flow channel with a series of protrusions to provide expansive and contractive iiow or gases and sound pressure waves therethrough,

a resonator positioned between said iiow channels and having a resonator mouth facing the main section outlet means providing an entrance manifold within the main section connected to the main section inlet and to one end of each flow channel to receive the gas ow from the inlet and divide the gas ow into a gas stream for each ow channel, and

means providing an exit manifold connected to the other ends of said flow channels and said main section exit passage to receive the streams of gas from the iiow channels and convergingly unite said streams to iiow the united streams of gas through the main section outlet.

4. A noise silencer adapted to receive flowing gases accompanied by sound pressure waves comprising:

housing means forming an expansion entrance section,

and a longitudinally extending main section,

said entrance section forming an inlet passage and an outlet passage and an expansion chamber between said inlet and outlet passages,

said entrance section inlet and outlet passages having a smaller cross-sectional iow area than the entrance section expansion chamber,

said main section having an inlet passage and an outlet passage with said inlet passage being connected to the entrance outlet passage to receive gas flow therefrom,

said main section forming a plurality of spaced longitudinally extending flow channels therein,

means providing each dow channel with a series of protrusions to provide expansive and contractive flow of gases and sound pressure waves therethrough,

a resonator positioned between said flow channels and having a resonator mouth facing the main section outlet, said resonator having a resonator chamber converging from said resonator mouth in a direction opposite to the iiow or" gases through the channels,

means providing an entrance manifold connected to the main section inlet and to one end of each flow channel to receive the gas ow from the inlet and divide the gas flow into a gas stream for each tlow channel, and means providing an exit manifold connected to the other ends of said iiow channels and said main section exit passage to receive the streams of gas from the ow channels and convergingly unite said streams to flow the united streams of gas through the main section outlet.

5. A. muliier providing attenuation of sound pressure waves that accompany the iiowing of gases comprising:

a housing having axially aligned `inlet and outlet passages,

means forming an expansion entrance section, and a longitudinally extending main section within Said housing, said entrance section having an inlet passage connected to said housing inlet and an outlet passage and an expansion chamber between said inlet and outlet passages, said entrance section inlet and outlet passages having a smaller cross-sectional flow area than the entrance section expansion chamber,

said main section having an inlet passage and an outlet passage with said inlet passage being connected to the entrance outlet passage to receive gas ilow therefrom and the outlet passage being connected to the housing outlet,

means forming a plurality of spaced longitudinally extending flow channels within said main section,

means providing each ow channel with a series of protrusions to provide expansive and contractive flow of gases and sound pressure waves therethrough,

a resonator positioned between said iiow channels and having a resonator mouth facing the main section outlet, said resonator having a resonator chamber converging from said resonator mouth in a direction opposite to the iiow of gases through the channels,

means providing an entrance manifold connected to the main section inlet and to one end of each flow sneefiea 7 channel to receive the gas ilow from the inlet and divide the gas ilow into a gas stream for each flow channel, and providing an exit manifold connected to the other ends of said fdow channels and said main section exit passage to receive the streams of gas from the flow channels and convergingly uniteV said streams t flow the united streams of gas through the main section outlet, whereby sound pressure waves are attenuated to an aurally desirable level and excessive backup pressures are substantially prevented.

6. A niuiiler providing attenuation or sound pressure waves that accompany the flowing of gases comprising:

a housing having axlallv aligned inlet and outlet passages,

means forming an expansion entrance section, a longitudinally extending main section, and an expansion exit section within said housing said entrance section having an inlet passage cortinuous with said housing inlet and an outlet passage and an expansion chamber' between said inlet and outlet passages,

said entrance section inlet and outlet passages having a smaller cross-sectional ilow area than'the entrance section expansion chamber,

said main section having au inlet passage and an outlet passage with said inlet passage being continuous with the entrance outlet passage to receive gas r'low therefrom,

said main section having a plurality of spaced longitudinally extending flow channels formed therein,

means providing each ilow channel with a series of protrusions to provide expansive and contractive flow of gases and sound pressure waves therethrough,

a resonator positioned between said llow channels and having a resonator mouth facing the main section outlet, said resonator having a resonator chan ber converging from said resonator mouth in a direction opposite to the dow of gases through the channels,

said resonator chamber side walls having protrusions thereon,

means providing an entrance manifold connected to the main section inlet and to one end of each ilow channel to receive the gas flow from the inlet and divide the gas flow into a gas stream for each ilow channel,

means providing an exit manifold connected to the other ends of said flow channels and said main section exit passage to receive the streams o gas from the ilow channels and convergingly unite said streams to flow the united streams of gas through the main section outlet, and said exit chamber section having an inlet continuous with the section Outlet,

an outlet continuous with the housing outlet, and an expansion chamber between the inlet and outlet having a cross-section flow area greater than that of the inlet and outlet whereby sound pressure waves are attenuated to an -aurally desirable level and excessive backup pressures are substantially prevented.

7. A muler providing attenuation of sound pressure waves that accompany the flowing of gases comprising:

a housing formed of two joined halves of stamped maaterial with each half having corresponding convolutions, said convolutions forming a muffler inlet and outlet, an expansion entrance section, and a longitudinally extending main section,

said entrance section having an inlet continuous with said mufer inlet, an outlet, and an expansion chamber between said inlet and outle said entrance section inlet and outlet having a smaller cross-sectional tlow area than the entrance section expansion chamber,

said main section having an inlet passage and an outlet passage with said inlet passage being continuous with the entrance outlet to receive gas flow therefrom and the outlet passage being connected to the muliler outlet,

said convolutions forming a plurality of spaced longitudinally extending flow channels with said main section means providing each :dow channel with a series of protrusions to provide expansive and contractive flow of gases and sound pressure waves therethrough,

a resonator positioned between said flow channels and having a resonator mouth facing the main section outlet, said resonator having a resonator chamber converging from said resonator mouth in a direction opposite to the ow or" gases through the channel,

said convolutions forming an entrance manifold connected to the main section inlet and to one end of each flow channel to receive a gas flow from the inlet and divide the gas ow into a stream for each ilow channel, and

said -convolutions forming an exit manifold connected to the other end of said ilow channels and said main section exit passage to receive the streams of gas from the ilow channels and convergingly unite said streams to ow the united streams of gas through the main section outlet,

whereby sound pressure waves are attenuated to an aurally desirable level and excessive backup pressures are substantially prevented.

8. A muier providing attenuation of sound pressure waves that accompany the owing of gases comprising:

a housing formed of two joined halves of stamped material with each halt having corresponding convolutions,

said convolutions forming a muiiler inlet and outlet, an entrance section, a longitudinally extending main section and an exit section with said main section having an axial length greater than the axial length of the entrance and exit sections,

said entrance section having an inlet continuous with said munter inlet, an outlet, and an expansion charnber between said inlet and outlet,

said entrance section inlet and outlet having a smaller cross-sectional flow area than the entrance section expansion chamber,

said main section having an inlet passage and an outlet passage with said inlet passage being continuous with the entrance outlet to receive gas flow therefrom,

said convolutions forming two circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending ow channels within said main section,

means providing each ilow channel with a series of protrusions to provide expansive and contractive flow of gases and sound pressure waves therethrough,

a resonator positioned between said now channels and having a resonator mouth facing the main section outlet, said resonator having a resonator chamber converging from said resonator mouth in a direction opposite to the low of gases Ldirough the channels,

said convolutions forming an entrance manifold connected to the main section inlet and to one end of each ow `channel to receive the gas flow from the inlet and divide the gas low into a gas stream for each iiow channel,

said convolutions forming an exit manifold connected to the other end of said flow channels and said main section exit passage to receive the streams of gas from the llow channels and convergingly unite said streams to flow the united streams of gas through the main section outlet,

said exit chamber section having an inlet continuous with the main section outlet,

an outlet continuous with the housing outlet and an expansion chamber between the inlet and outlet having a cross-section flow area greater than that of the inlet and outlet,

said mufer inlet and outlet, said entrance section inlet and outlet, said main section inlet and outlet, and said exit section inlet and outlet being axially and concentrically aligned with each other, whereby sound pressure waves are attenuated to an aurally desirable level and excessive backup pressures are substantially prevented.

9. The mufer of claim 8 wherein the entrance manifold has a relatively fiat surface facing said main section inlet passage such that gas flow through said inlet passage is directed toward said at surface.

10. A muiiler providing attenuation of sound pressure waves that accompany the ilowing of gases comprising:

a housing formed of two joined halves of molded Inaterial with each half having corresponding convolutions, an expansion section, a longitudinally extending main section, and an exit section with said main section having an axial length greater than the axial length of the entrance and exit sections,

said entrance section having an inlet continuous with the mufller inlet, an outlet, and an expansion chamber between said inlet and outlet,

said entrance section inlet and outlet having a smaller cross-sectional how area than the entrance section expansion chamber, said main section having an inlet passage and an outet passage with said inlet passage being continuous with the entrance outlet to receive gas ow therefrom said convolutions forming a plurality of spaced longitudinally extending flow channels within said main section said convolutions providing each low channel with a series of protrusions to provide expansive and contractive ow of gases and sound pressure waves therethrough,

said -convolutions forming a resonator between said liow channels and having a resonator mouth facing the main section outlet, said resonator' having a resonator chamber converging from said resonator mouth in a direction opposite to the iiow of gases through the channels,

said convolutions forminf3 an entrance manifold connected to the main section inlet and to one end of each ow channel to receive the gas ilow from the inlet and divide the gas iiow into gas stream for each liow channel,

said convolutions forming an exit manifold connected to the other end of said flow channels and said main section exit passage to receive the streams of gas from the ilow channels and convergingly unite said streams to iiow the united streams of gas through the main section outlet, and

said exit chamber section having an inlet continuous with the main section outlet, an outlet continuous with the housing outlet, and an expansion chamber between the inlet and outlet havin y a cross-section ilow area greater than that of the inlet and outlet whereby sound pressure waves are attenuated to an aurally desirable level and excessive backup pressures are substantially prevented.

1l. A muler providing attenuation of sound pressure waves that accompany the owing of gases comprising:

a housing having a muther inlet and outlet,

baille means mounted within said housing and dividing the interior of said housing into an entrance section, and a longitudinally extending main section,

said entrance section having an inlet continuous with the muler inlet, an outlet and an expansion chamber between said inlet and outlet,

said entrance section inlet and outlet having a smaller cross-sectional iiow area than the entrance section expansion chamber,

said main section having an inlet passage and an outlet passage with said inlet passage being continuous With the entrance outlet to receive gas flow therefrom,

a main section baille connected within said housing forming a plurality of spaced longitudinally extending ilow channels with said housing within said main section,

said main section baille providing each ilow channel with a series of protrusions to provide expansive and contractive tlow of gases md sound pressure waves therethrough,

said main section baffle forming a resonator between said llow channels and having a resonator mouth facing the main section outlet,

said resonator having a resonator chamber converging from said resonator mouth in a direction opposite to the llow of gases through the channels,

said main section baffle forming an entrance manifold connected to the main section inlet and to one end of each iiow channel to receive the gas flow from the inlet and divide the gas ilow into a stream for each flow channel, and

said main section balie forming an exit manifold connected to the other end of said ow channels and said main section exit passage to receive the streams of gas from the tlow channels and convergingly unite said streams to flow the united streams of gas through the main section outlet,

whereby sound pressure waves are attenuated to an aurally desirable level and excessive backup pressures are substantially prevented.

l2. A plastic muiiler comprising:

casing means forming an entrance section, and a longitudinally extending main section with said main section having an axial length greater than the axial length of the entrance section,

said entrance section forming axially aligned circular inlet and outlet passages and an expansion chamber between said inlet and outlet,

said entrance section inlet and outlet having a smaller cross-sectional iiow area than the entrance section expansion chamber,

said main section having axially aligned circular inlet and outlet passages with said inlet passage being connecte-d to the entrance outlet to receive gas flow therefrom,

means forming a plurality of spaced longitudinally extending ilow channels within said main section,

means providing each flow channel with a series of protrusions to provide expansive and contractive flow of gases and sound pressure waves therethrough,

a resonator positioned between said ow channels and having a resonator mouth facing the main section outlet, said resonator having a resonator chamber converging from said resonator mouth in a direction opposite to the llow of gases through the channels,

means forming an entrance manifold connected to the main section inlet and to one end of each ilow channel to receive the gas ilow from the inlet and divide the gas ilow into a stream for each iiOw channel, and

means providing an exit manifold connected to the other end of said flow channels and said main section exit passage to receive the streams of gas from the tlow channels and convergingly unite said streams to tiow the united streams of gas through the main section outlet,

whereby sound pressure waves are attenuated to an aurally desirable level and excessive backup pressures are substantially prevented.

13. A mufiier providing attenuation of sound pressure waves that accompany the lion/ing of gases comprising:

aisance said main section having an inlet passage and an outlet passage with said inlet passage being connected to the entrance outlet passage to receive gas ow therefrom,

a baffle means mounted in said main section,

said bathe means having two inner side walls spaced inwardly from the main section interior, top and bottom walls interconnecting the said walls, and a flat end wall,

said baffle means top and bottom walls attached to the main section interior such that two longitudinally extending spaced flow channels are formed with the baille inner side walls and the main section i11- terior,

said inner baffle walls diverging-converging-diverging along the length thereof to provide contractive and expansive ow of gases and sound pressure waves therethrough,

said baie ilat end wall facing said main section inlet and being spaced therefrom to provide an entrance manifold within the main section connected to the main section inlet and to one end of each flow channel to receive the gas ow from the inlet and divide the gas ow into a gas stream for each flow channel, and

means providing an exit manifold connected to the other ends of said flow channels and said main section exit passage to receive the streams of gas from the flow channels and convergingly unite said streams to flow the united streams of gas through the main section outlet.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,071,351 McNamara Feb. 23, 1937 2,110,986 Kadenacy MaI. 15, 1938 2,484,827 Harley Oct. 18, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS 234,854 Switzerland Feb. 16, 1945 411,250 Great Britain une 7, 1934 577,524 Italy Iune 4, 1958 

1. A NOISE SILENCER COMPRISING: CASING MEANS FORMING AN EXPANSION ENTRANCE SECTION, AND A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING MAIN SECTION, SAID ENTRANCE SECTION FORMING AN INLET PASSAGE AND AN OUTLET PASSAGE AND AN EXPANSION CHAMBER BETWEEN SAID INLET AND OUTLET PASSAGES, SAID ENTRANCE SECTION INLET AND OUTLET PASSAGE HAVING SMALLER CROSS-SECTIONAL FLOW AREA THAN THE ENTRANCE SECTION EXPANSION CHAMBER, SAID MAIN SECTION HAVING AN INLET PASSAGE AND AN OUTLET PASSAGE WITH SAID INLET PASSAGE BEING CONNECTED TO THE ENTRANCE OUTLET PASSAGE TO RECEIVE GAS FLOW THEREFROM, SAID MAIN SECTION FORMING A PLURALITY OF SPACED FLOW CHANNELS EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY THEREIN, MEANS PROVIDING EACH FLOW CHANNEL WITH A SERIES OF PROTRUSIONS TO PROVIDE EXPANSIVE AND CONTRACTIVE FLOW OF GASES AND SOUND PRESSURE WAVES THERETHROUGH, MEANS PROVIDING AN ENTRANCE MANIFOLD WITHIN THE MAIN SECTION CONNECTED TO THE MAIN SECTION INLET AND TO ONE END OF EACH FLOW CHANNEL TO RECEIVE THE GAS FLOW FROM THE INLET AND DIVIDE THE GAS FLOW INTO A GAS STREAM FOR EACH FLOW CHANNEL, AND MEANS PROVIDING AN EXIT MANIFOLD CONNECTED TO THE OTHER ENDS OF SAID FLOW CHANNELS AND SAID MAIN SECTION EXIT PASSAGE TO RECEIVE THE STREAMS OF GAS FROM THE FLOW CHANNELS AND CONVERGINGLY UNITE SAID STREAMS TO FLOW THE UNITED STREAMS OF GAS THROUGH THE MAIN SECTION OUTLET, 